Electrode for storage batteries.



Pacenteld Aug. I2, i902.

c. w. KENNEDY.

ELECTHODE FOR STORAGE BATTERIES.

(N0 Model.)

2 Sheets Sheet I.

lll

Il' 'Il III Il' |I|I| Il No. 706,568. Patented'Aug. I2, |902.

. C. W. KENNEDY.

ELECTBODE FOR vSTJRAGE BATTERIES.

(Applimim mea .my ao. 1901.)

2 Sheets-$het 2.

(No Model.)

, lowing is a specification.

vfor perfecting mechanically any partially` UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

CHARLES w. KENNEDY, oE EUTLEDGE, PENNSYLVANIA.

VELECTRODE Fon 'ST0 RAG E BATfTEmEs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,568, dated'August12, 1902.

Applicativi tied July so. 1901.

T @ZZ whom t ntcty concern,.- f

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. KENNEDY, a4 citizen of the UnitedStates', and a resident of Rutledge, Delawarecoun'ty, Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain Improvements in Electrodes for Storage Batteries, ofwhich the fol- My invention relates to that class of electrodes forsecondary or storage batteries in which the active material is formed ordeposited directly upon the lead plate by electrochemical action, andmore particularly to the form of such electrodes shown in my Patents No.629,260, July: 1, 1899, and No; 630,714, August 8, 1899.

My presentinvention consistsV of'certain improvements inl suchelectrodes,`:whereby I can increasetheamount of active surface, insuregreater efficiency, and at thesame time distribute or take up theexpansion'occuring during the forming period, providing a plate in whichthe ,formed7 active material will be positively supported.

My invention also includes certainineans formed plates produced byelectrochemical' action, and it furtherincludes;certain means forpositioning and securing together the various parts of the plate before:such plate is put into the forming-bath.

Other details of myinvention will be point-- ed out hereinafter,reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isafront elevation of the improved form of electrode made in accordancewith my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionall View of the same,taken on the line ct a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, onaneularged scale, of a portion of the electrode,illus'v trating onemethod of positioning the lea'd strips in the inclosing frame. Fig. 4isa View'` similar to` Fig.z 3, showing a..-modiiication of one of thedetalsthereof. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, onanenlarged scale, of aportionof an electrode made in accordance with my, invention, having aframe specially formed to receive and position the lead strips. Fig. 5is a modification of the frame shown in Fig. 5. Fig. dis a perspectiveview of the lead strips used to form the active material of my improvedelectrode. Figs. 7, 8, 9, and are perspective views of a portion of' thesenti Nunzio. (No man.)

i electrode, illustrating modified forms of the lead strips. Figs. 11an'd 12 are enlarged sectional views of a portion" of the electrode,

illustrating still further modifications in the form of the lead strips.-Figs. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the form of strips shown inFigs. 11 and 12, and Fig. 15 is a view of a portion of an electrode inwhich continuous lead strips are used to form the active material.

As in my former patents, the object of my present invention is toprovide an electrode of the character described which shall have amaximum amount of active surface and a minimum amount of'weight.

A further Objectis to so construct the frame of the plate that theexpansion due to the formation of the active material will be taken upby said plate without danger of buckling or warping, the leadfstrips,which are oxidized to form the active material, being hori- Zontallydisposed within Asaid frame and expandingwhen forming in a-v verticaldirection: The lead frame, as madein accordance with this invention, isspecially shaped to resist strainlin this direction due to the eXpansionof the' active material.

In the accompanying drawings the frame of the electrode, which isrectangular-in form, consists of the side pieces 1 and the top andbottom pieces 2 and 3. The top piece 2 is .provided with suitableprojections 4 and 5,

by which connection may be made with other electrodes during the formingperiod and when assembling the same in a battery. EX-

tending across the frame and connecting the side pieces 1 are thecross-bars 6, which are Iconnectedto each other and to the top andbottom` pieces 2 and 3 by means of the vertical members `7. Thesemembers break joint,

the` members connecting the upper cross-bar 6 withA the`top piece 2 arespaced apart equi- `distantly between the side pieces 1, while the nextset of connecting-pieces? are disposed opposite the center of the spacebetween those of the first set, and so on throughout the plate. Theplate so made is preferably integral, and may be cast or stamped out ofsheet metal, as may be most convenient.

Within each space or recess of the frame of the electrode formed by thecross-bars (l and IOO the vertical members 7 I arrange the lead stripsforming the active material. In the present instance these strips arearranged in sets or groups of three-viz., the supportingstrip 8,roughened, knurled, or corrugated, so as to provide a retaining-surfacefor the peroxid of lead formed by electrochemical action, and the stripsor films 9, disposed on either side o f the strips 8. The strips orfilms 9 are perfectly smooth and are considerably thinner than thestrips 8. They are kept in contact with the strips 8 during the buildingnp of the electrode, and during the forming .process these thin stripsor films are reduced to peroXid of lead, which deposits upon the leadstrips 8.

'Ihe strips 8 are comparatively thick, and `while the strips or films 9are entirely reduced by the forming operation only the surface of thestrips 8 will be acted upon by the oxidizing solution, leaving asufficient portion of said strips 8 to serve as a support for theperoxid formed by the decomposition of the strips or films 9 and thesurface of said strips 8. In the drawings herewith I have shown and inthe specification I have described single strips or films 9, combinedwith the supporting-strips 8. It will be understood, however, that I mayuse a series of such thin strips or films interposed between thesupporting-strips, such strips or films rendered active by theelectrochemical action above referred to.

As before noted, the strips 8 and the films 9 arefarranged in sets orgroups and fitted in the recesses of the electrode-frame, and after theyare fitted inplace they may be held in v position by bendingoveraportion of the plate Y in contact with the ends of the same or byburning said ends, and therebyv fusing them with the frame of theelectrode.

In order to position the strips Within the recesses of the vframe andprovide sufficient space for expansion during the forming period, Iprovide the means shown in Fig.v 3, Which comprises a base-board orsupport 10, upon which the frame of the electrode may 1 be secured byany suitable means, having -f recesses of the frame of the electrode.

pins 11 secured thereto, said pins being spaced apart the necessarydistance and adapted to confine between them the groups or sets of thestrips 8 and 9 hereinbefore referred to,

lwhile they are being fused or otherwise secured to the frame of theelectrode.

In Fig. 4 I'have shown another form of spacing .device for positioningthe lead strips within the frame, such device comprising a member 12,having upwardly-projecting removed from said base-board will bepractically finished and ready for the forming-bath.

In some instances it may be preferable to form the frame of theelectrode in such manner that there will be no necessity of usingaspecial support or spacing device to position the sets of lead strips,and in Fig. 5 I have shown a frame of this character having recesses ornotches 15, formed or cnt in the inner sides of the Vertical members 7,such recesses being adapted to receive the ends of the groups of strips8 and 9. These notches are squared, as shown, and the expansion of thelead strips must be beyond the point of contact with the walls of saidnotches. In Fig. 5a, however, I have shown a form of notched frame inwhich the projecting portions 16a between the notches 15 areWedgeshaped, and while .they serve to confine the groups of strips inplace they will not interterfere with the expansion that takes placeduring the forming period.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a perspective view of/thestrips 8 and films 9.The strips 8 are roughened, knurled, or corrugated, as noted above,being preferably made in the manner set forth in my former patent, No.630,714,

dated August 8, 1899. The strips or films 9 are very much thinnei` thanthe strips 8 and are preferably smooth. During the forming period saidstrips will be entirely reduced to peroxid of lead.

In Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10 I have illustrated certain modifications in theshape of the electrode-frame designed for the purpose of retaining thestrips 8 and films 9 within said frame without the necessity of fusingsaid strips to hold them in position. In Fig. 7 the vertical members 7aof the frame are provided with a rib 17 on the inner face of the same,and the strips 8 and films 9 are notched at the ends to engage saidgrooves. In Fig. 8 the vertical members 7b are provided with a groove18, and the strips 8 and lms 9 have projections 19, adapted to rest insaid grooves. In making this form of frame I prefer to have a raisededge 20 adjacent to each side of the vertical members 7b, and after thestrips 8 and 9 have been set in place said raised edge 20 may beflattened down by a hammer or placed in a suitable die and fiattenedagainst the projecting ends 19 of the strips 8 and films 9 to hold themin place. In Fig. 9 the vertical members 7c have 'the wedge-shaped innerface, and the stripsS and films 9 haveV the wedge-shaped ends of thestrips 8 and lms 9. y

The form of strips 8 previously referred to yare perfectly fiat, and asthey are arranged within the frame of the electrode horizontally theyserve to support the peroxid formed by the reduction of a portion of thesame and IOO IIO

the films 9. Should a battery of this construction be subjected toviolent movement, however, such as might be occasioned by use withvehicles, there would be great danger of the peroXid becoming detachedfrom the strips 8 and consequently lost, thereby greatly reducing the`efficiency of the battery. In

p order, therefore, to provide an electrode of the broad characterdevised by me for use in connection with vehicles, I propose the use ofsuch a strip as is shown in Figs. ll and 12. In Fig. 1l I have shown asectional view of a portion of an electrode made in accordance with thismodification in which trough-like strips 25 are used, supporting thinnertroughlike films 26, said films being reduced to peroxid of lead duringthe forming period. The strips 25 are considerably heavier than thefilms 26 and are made of the ronghened, knurled, or corrugated metal,hereinbefore referred to. These strips are perforated at 27 for the freepassage of the electrolyte. This trough-like strip isshown inperspective at Fig. 13. In Fig. l2 I have shown a modified form of thestrips shown in Fig. 11, the modification being semicircular incross-section, as shown at 25, supporting the thinner films 26a, alsosemicircular in cross-section.`

This form of strip 4is shown in perspective` view in Fig. 14, and, as inthe form of strip illustrated in Figs. 1l and 13, is perforated at 27.

In the forms of strips shown in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, there will be,under ordinary circumstances, no necessity of fusing the same with theframe of the electrode, although in some instances I may prefer to doso. They are disposed within the spaces of said frame in such numberthat suflicient room is left between the same to allow for the expansionduring the forming period.

The strips shown in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, are also arranged withjust sufficient space between the same to allow for the expansion; butin this form of electrode it will probably be necessary to fuse thestrips in the frame. In this form of electrode the horizontal barsof theframe should be of a crosssection corresponding to the shape of thestrips 25 and 25".

In Fig. 15I have shown a portion of an electrode in which the materialto become active is in the shape of continuous lead strips S and 9,arranged in a rectangular coil. These strips are spaced apart asuitabledistance to allow forexpansion, Aand the spaces between thehorizontal runs of the coil are preferably wider than the spaces betweenthe ance with my invention will have solid masses of the active materialdisposed within the recesses of the frame after the forming operation.In practice, however, it will be found that some of the plates will notentirely fill up with the peroXid of lead, and spaces being left betweenthe lead strips the plate will have considerably less efficiency thanone having solid masses of the active material. Such defective platesmay be improved and rendered practically perfect by coating or pastingthe recesses or apertures unfilled with the peroXid of lead with theordinary red lead or litharge used in the manufacture of what are termedpasted electrodes. After this operation the plate, having been entirelyfilled with active material, is ready for use. I prefer, however, thatsuch plates shall have their active material formed entirelyelectrochemically.

IIaving thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patentl. As a new article of manufacture, a grid forstorage-battery electrodes comprising a frame provided with recesses toreceive the material to become active and having series of horizontaland vertical members forming said recesses, each of said verticalmembers being disposed opposite one or more of said recesses and servingto resist the pressure caused by the expansion of the active materialduring the forming period.

2. As a new article of manufactura, a grid `for storage-batteryelectrodes comprising a frame provided with recesses to receive thematerial to become active, a series of horizontal cross-bars carried bysaid frame, and a seriesof vertical connecting-pieces forming with saidcross-bars, the recesses for the active material, each series` ofvertical pieces IOO being so disposed that those of no two adjacentseries are directly opposite each other,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an electrode for storage batteriescomprising a frame provided with recesses to receive the material tobecome active, horizontally-disposed strips forming the material tobecome active arranged in said recesses and spaced apart to i disposedopposite the spaces above and below i the same, horizontallydisposedlead strips arranged in said spaces and forming thematerial to becomeactive, and means carried by IIO the vertical members whereby saidstrips may be retained in position Within the frame, but free to expandduring the forming period.

5. As a new article of manufacture, an electrode for storage batteries,comprising a frame havingrecesses for the reception of the material tobecome active, and lead strips arranged in sets or groups and formingthe material to become active, said strips comprising pieces ofdifferent thickness horizontally arranged Within the electrode, and soconiined therein as to permit expansion during the formingy period,substantially as described. .z i 6. The combination in an electrode forsecondary batteries of the frame having recesses to receive the materialto become active, vertical members forming the side Walls of saidrecesses,said members havin g grooves on their inner sides andprojecting portions upon one outer face, and lead strips forming thematerial to become active and having projections at their ends adaptedto the grooves of the vertical members, said strips being held in placeby the bending over of the projecting portion of the vertical members ofthe frame. 7. In combination with an electrode'of the characterdescribed, a lead strip bent or shaped to' forni a supporting trough andadapted to have its surface acted upon by a chemical agent whereby itmay be rendered active, and a thinner lead strip capable of beingentirely reduced by electrochemical action to form the active materialand carried by the bent strip, the Walls of said bent strip beingperforated for the passage of the electrolyte.

8. Material to become active for use in elec trodes'wh'erein suchmaterial is rendered active by electrochemical action, comprising stripsof lead arranged in'series of dierent thickness and alternating 4 witheach other throughout said electrodes, the thinner strips being entirelyreduced during the electrochemical action, While the thicker strips,alternating with the same, have only their surface acted upon and serveas a supporting medium for the rest of the active material.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication in thepresence of 5o twoV su bscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES W. KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

MURRAY C. BOYER, Jos. H. KLEIN.

